Spirit Lake, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issues a weekly fishing report on Thursdays in an effort to provide the latest information heading into the weekend. The weekly fishing report is compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys, and county and state parks staff. For more information contact the Spirit Lake fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840.
NORTHWEST
Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are in the mid-60’s. Bluegill – Fair: Use crawlers fished under a bobber. Most action has been in Town Bay off the stone piers, the floating dock, and the fish house. Yellow Perch – Fair: Anglers are picking up perch from shore along Ice House Point and the fish house in Town Bay using minnows fished under a bobber. Some have had luck fishing from the inlet bridge. Walleye – Fair: Use a slip bobber with a minnow or leech on a lead head jig along the Ice House Point shore, the east end near the outlet north shore, and around the marina. Anglers have also had luck casting black and white twisters. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are picking up crappie from shore and the fish house in Town Bay using live minnows fished under a bobber. Target areas with wood or rock cover along shore.
Black Hawk Pits
Black Crappie – Fair: Use a live minnow under a bobber near wood and rock cover along shore. Bluegill – Fair.
Brushy Creek Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Try a live minnow under a bobber along shore near wood and rock cover. Bluegill – Fair: Use crawlers and small minnows fished under a bobber in 5-10 feet of water near shore and submerged structure. Yellow Perch – Fair.
North Twin Lake
Walleye – Fair: Use leeches or minnows fished under a slip bobber. Anglers have had luck fishing the south shore.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Black Crappie – Fair: Try a live minnow under a bobber in areas around docks and along shallow rocky shores. Anglers have picked up crappie in the marina and near the inlet. White Bass – Good: Use leeches, crawlers and twisters. Walleye – Fair: Use leeches and minnows fished under a slip bobber or cast twisters or crankbaits. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try cut bait, stink bait, minnows or leeches fished near the bottom.
Water temperatures are in the low to mid-60’s. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Beeds Lake
Bluegill and crappie fishing is starting to pick up. Bluegill – Fair. Black Crappie – Fair.
Clear Lake
The water temperature is in the low 60’s. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are having success slip bobber fishing the rock reefs with jigs and a minnow or leech. With the clear water, the best bite is early morning and evening. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish the edge of the rushes with a small minnow. Yellow Bass – Slow: Use small jigs in 2 to 3 feet of water on warmer days. Best bite is at first light. Channel Catfish – Good: Fish the windswept shore and areas where water is coming into the lake with cut bait fished on the bottom.
Crystal Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Use minnows fished on the edge of the vegetation. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try spinnerbaits fished on the edge of the vegetation. Walleye – Fair: Use minnows and leeches fishes near the dredge cut.
Lake Smith
Anglers are catching bass on a variety of baits. Panfish bite has been slow. Largemouth Bass – Good.
For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
Center Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Fish shoreline habitat as the fish are shallow. Cast a mini jig or use a minnow under a bobber.
East Okoboji Lake
Walleye – Good: Anglers report angler acceptable size fish are being caught after dark trolling crankbaits.
Lost Island Lake
Walleye – Fair: Report of 14 – 18 inch fish being caught. Expect the action to improve as the water temperatures warms. Black Crappie – Fair: Report of black crappie and bluegill being caught in shallow water.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye – Good: Wader fishing is at its prime after dark with the clear water. Fish slow with a jig and minnow or twister tails on light jig heads. Yellow Perch – Slow: Recent surveys show good numbers of fish approaching 11 inches.
Silver Lake (Palo Alto)
Black Bullhead – Good: Good bite with jumbo size fish reported being caught.
Spirit Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Fish Trickles Slough or emerging reed beds for crappie and bluegill. Walleye – Good: Report of wader anglers having good success after dark. Some fish are being caught by boat anglers during the day. For the best areas, fish emerging weed beds.
Trumbull Lake
Yellow Perch – Fair: Report of some fish being caught.
West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Some bluegill and crappie action has been reported. Expect action to improve as water temperatures warm.
For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840.
